Football defeated Needham 12-7 in a down-to-the-wire thriller Thursday, Oct. 10, at Dickinson stadium.
The Tigers’ defense led the charge against the Needham Rockets, a team that finished a strong season as runners-up in the MIAA Division 1 tournament last fall. Their opponents’ reputation didn’t intimidate the Tigers, according to senior Dylan Leone, a captain alongside seniors Jack Caissie, Milo Schneider, Freddy Torcasio, and Ale Valencia.
“We knew we were going to have to dig deep and be more physically and mentally ready than them,” he said.
With 1:30 left in the first quarter, the Tigers’ training paid off as they forced a turnover on downs on their own four yardline, ending the quarter with the ball and keeping the score 0-0.
North found inconsistency in the air game, going 0-2 across their first possession to begin the second quarter. The Rockets then went on to score with only a few minutes remaining in the second quarter.
The Tigers had an impressive run all the way up to the 4 yard line, only to turnover on downs after an unfavorable ruling on 4th and short. Needham gained possession with 0:58 left in the second quarter.
The team continued to struggle offensively out of halftime, with two turnovers on downs to start the half, despite two impressive 25 yard carries from Leone. However, the Tigers’ defense persisted and managed to give their offense another chance.
According to senior Jacob Goodwin, the Tigers’ defense played a critical role in holding Needham to just seven points. “When it gets crucial, we trust our defense to make stops,” he said. “We practice all the time, these goal lines plays. It’s nothing new. We knew that eventually, it was going to click.”
Goodwin’s statement rang true in the third quarter, when Leone landed a monstrous 42 yard catch and secured North its first goalline possession of the game. The Tigers then found Goodwin in the endzone for a touchdown with 36 seconds left.
Subsequent receptions by Tyler B-M and Leone swiftly brought the Tigers to Needham’s own goal line. Leone ran it home in the nick of time, leaving only 43 seconds on the clock to make the score 12-7.
According to Leone, beating the Rockets was a collaborative success that showcased the team’s determination. “We are all about team effort and play,” he said. “We want to prove to others, and especially ourselves, that we are a great team and deserve more recognition.”
Goodwin expanded on the importance of the game, adding, “From the start of the season we aimed to beat a team we hadn’t beaten in years past, and Needham was on the top of that list. We came in with a chip on our shoulders and really wanted this game.”
The Tigers will next face Wellesley at home on Friday, Oct 17.
